Peach tree named ‘TexFirst’

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a new and distinct variety of  Prunus persica  named ‘TexFirst’. This new variety, which requires 150 to 200 chilling units of dormancy, is considered to be a peach tree of early season maturity, which produces yellow fleshed fruit that are very firm, attractively colored, and suitable for both local and long-distance shipping.

Genus and species: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘TexFirst’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

This invention relates to a new and distinct peach tree variety of Prunus persica named ‘TexFirst’. ‘TexFirst’, which requires approximately 150 to 200 chilling units of dormancy, produces an exceptionally high quality, firm clingstone peach that matures early in the season.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

Peach tree ‘TexFirst’ is the result of an ongoing Stone Fruit Breeding Program of Texas A & M University, College Station, Brazos County, Tex. To this end, both controlled and hybrid crosses are made each year in order to produce seedling populations from which improved progenies are evaluated and selected.

The seedling ‘TexFirst’ originated at the Texas A & M University Horticultural Farm in College Station, Tex. in 1998, and was chosen as ‘TX1A95’ from a population of seedlings that resulted from seed from an open pollinated seed lot from the Thai Tiger low chill peach ‘TXW1193-1’, (Byrne and Boonprakob, HortScience 43:2226-2227, 2008) an unpatented peach selection of unknown parentage released for use by the Royal Project of Thailand for the development of the peach industry of the low chill tropical zones in northern Thailand. The pollen parent of ‘TexFirst’ is not known. The seedling denominated as ‘TX1A95’ was selected for its early maturity, good productivity, yellow ground color, round shape, high red overcolor, and excellent firmness. Resulting seed from this cross were planted in 1996 at the Texas A & M University Horticultural Farm in College Station, Tex. ‘TexFirst’ was marked for subsequent observation and noted as having exceptional characteristics. Two-year and older trees of the variety were subsequently evaluated during the 2000 through 2010 fruit growing seasons in both California (Clovis) and Texas (Floresville and College Station).

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

‘TexFirst’ was bud grafted onto virus-free Nemaguard (“The Brooks and Olmo Register of Fruit and Nut Varieties,” 3^(rd) Ed., American Society of Horticultural Science Press, Alexandria, Va., 1997) peach rootstock in June 1998 at the nursery site in Oakdale, Calif. The variety was subsequently planted at the experimental orchard in the central portion of the San Joaquin Valley, near Fowler, Fresno County, Calif. and in two sites in Texas (College Station and Floresville). Fruit from the resulting propagation has been evaluated during the period from 2000 to 2010 fruit seasons. This evaluation clearly demonstrated that the re-propagated trees were true to the characteristics of the original seedling in all observable aspects. The present invention has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations via budding.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for. ‘TexFirst’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world more than one year prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new peach tree variety ‘TexFirst’ is characterized as to novelty and is otherwise noteworthy by producing fruit that ripens in the early season; is considered high quality; and which is firm and has an attractive coloration. In this regard, the present variety of peach tree bears fruit that are ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment in mid May, when the fruit is grown in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California and the last week of April when grown in the medium chill zone of Texas. ‘TexFirst’ ripens 7-8 days earlier than the ‘Flordaking’ Peach, a non-patented variety (Anderson et al., HortScience, 14:81-82, 1979). The new variety exhibits the potential to be commercialized in low and medium chill regions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs show typical specimens of the new variety at various stages of development. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs were taken from 7-year old trees.

FIG. 1 shows ‘TexFirst’ (‘TX1A95’) fruit (left) as compared to fruit from ‘Flordaking’ (unpatented; center) and ‘TexKing’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,627; right). These fruit were grown in Floresville, Tex. and harvested on 30 April, 6 May and 22 May of 2007 respectively.

FIG. 2 shows a shoot of ‘TexFirst’ showing leaves and young stem.

FIG. 3 shows the abaxial and adaxial surfaces of the leaves of ‘TexFirst’.

FIG. 4 shows various views of the endocarp of the cultivar ‘TexFirst’. The scale is in millimeters.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘TexFirst’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken at experimental orchards in Fowler, Calif. from 2000 to 2010. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic and cultural conditions. ‘TexFirst’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘TexFirst’ was taken from 7-year old trees. Color terminology follows The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, London (R.H.S.) (Published 2001). Colors are approximate as color depends on horticultural practices such as light level and fertilization rate, among others.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Rosaceae.         -   Botanical.—Prunus persica.         -   Common name.—Peach.         -   Variety name.—‘TexFirst’. -   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Generally average to above average as compared to             other common peach cultivars ripening in the early season of             maturity         -   Height.—8.5 feet (2.58 m) at the end of the 2008 growing             season.         -   Width.—6.2 feet width (1.80 m) at the end of the 2008             growing season.         -   Vigor.—High.         -   Density.—Medium to high.         -   Productivity.—Productive.         -   Shape.—The ‘TexFirst’ peach has been trained in central lead             configuration but exhibits a generally spreading growth             habit typical of common low and medium chill commercial             varieties of peach such as ‘TropicPrince’ (U.S. Plant Pat.             No. 12,965), ‘TropicBeauty’ (Rouse and Sherman, HortScience             24:165-166, 1989) and ‘TexKing’ (Byrne and Bacon,             HortScience 39:442-443, 2004).         -   Current season growth.—The current season growth for the new             variety was approximately 3.0 to 3.3 feet (0.91-1.12 m).         -   Regularity of bearing.—Regular, and considered hardy under             the typical conditions found in the central San Joaquin             Valley, Calif. and in south central Texas (Floresville and             College Station). -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Approximately 3.4 inches (8.63 cm) in diameter and             11.4 inches (29.0 cm) in circumference when measured at a             distance of approximately 12 inches (30.5 cm) above the soil             level, at the end of the 2008 growing season on a five-year             old tree.         -   Bark texture.—Considered moderately rough with numerous             folds of papery scarf-like skin being present.         -   Bark coloration.—Variable, colors (R.H.S. colors) present             are 166A, 174A, 175A, 175B, and 175C of the Grey Orange             group, 201A and 201B of the Grey group, and 201C and 201D of             the Brown group. -   Branches:     -   -   Length.—Considered medium for the variety. Depending on             soil, fertility and climate, a minimum growth of 1 meter is             expected, but with high fertility can reach 2.5 meters or             greater.         -   Width.—Average (about 2.5 cm in diameter as measured 10 cm             from the trunk on a five-year old tree) as compared to other             varieties.         -   Surface texture.—Appearing furrowed on wood that is several             years old.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous flat, oval lenticels present. The             lenticels range in size from approximately 4.0 to 6.0 mm in             width and were approximately 1 mm in height.         -   Current season shoots.—Surface texture — Substantially             glabrous.         -   Internode length.—Approximately 2.0 to 2.5 cm as measured in             the middle of a current season stem.         -   Color of mature branches.—The predominant colors (R.H.S.             colors) are 165A, 165B and 177B of the Grey Orange group,             199B and 199C of the Grey Brown group, and 200D of the Brown             group.         -   Current season shoots.—Color (R.H.S. colors) — Light green             (143B and 143C of Green group and 144A, 144B and 144C of the             Yellow Green Group) with some reddish-brown coloration             appearing on exposed surface of the shoots (165A, 165B, and             167A of the Grey Orange group). The color of new shoot tips             is considered a bright and shiny green (mainly RHS Green             Group 141A-C and 144A). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered moderately large for the species. Leaf             measurements have been taken from vigorous upright current             season growth approximately at mid-shoot.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 162 to 180 mm.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 37 to 40 mm.         -   Leaf thickness.—Approximately 1 mm.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.         -   Leaf upper surface color.—Green varying among 146A and 146C             of the Yellow Green group.         -   Leaf lower surface color.—Green varying among 146B, 146C and             146D of the Yellow Green group.         -   Leaf mid-vein color.—Light yellow green (N144C-D and 144B-D             Yellow Green Group).         -   Leaf margins.—Form: Considered crenate. Uniformity:             Considered generally uniform.         -   Leaf petioles.—Size: Considered medium long. Length:             Approximately 12 to 14 mm. Width: Approximately 1 to 2 mm.             Color: Pale green (RHS Yellow Green Group 144A-C).         -   Leaf glands.—Size: Approximately 1 mm in height and 1 to 1.5             mm in width. Number: Generally 2-4 per leaf. Type: Reniform.             Color: Greenish brown (199A RHS Grey Brown Group).         -   Leaf stipules.—Size: Small for the variety. Length:             Approximately 2 to 3 mm. Width: Generally approximately 1 to             2 mm. Form: Lanceolate. Color: Green (RHS Yellow-Green             144B-C) with reddish brown tips (RHS Greyed-Orange Group             166A-B and 175A-B) when young. The stipules are considered             to be early deciduous.         -   Ratio of wood (leaf) buds to flowering buds.—1 to 2 flower             buds per vegetative bud. -   Flowers:     -   -   Floral buds.—General: The floral buds are considered to be             medium to medium large in size, conic in form, and slightly             appressed relative to the bearing shoot. Color: The bud             scales are gray-brown, (approximately RHS Greyed Orange             Group 165A and 166A and Grey Brown Group N199B). The buds             are considered hardy under typical central San Joaquin             Valley, Calif. climatic conditions. Length: Approximately 5             to 7 mm. Density: Dense.         -   Blooming type.—Considered quite early in relation to other             peach cultivars commonly growing in the central San Joaquin             Valley. Date of full bloom was between February 5^(th) and             February 16^(th) during the period between 2005 and 2010. It             blooms at the same time as the low chill varieties             “TropicPrince’ and ‘TropicBeauty’.         -   Flower type.—Showy.         -   Flower size.—Flower diameter at full bloom is approximately             28 to 32 mm.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Normally 1 to 2 per node.         -   Petal size.—General: Considered medium to medium large for             the species. Width: Approximately 9 to 10 mm. Length:             Approximately 15 mm.         -   Petal form.—Broadly ovate.         -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.         -   Petal color.—Light pink when young (RHS White Group             N155B-C), becoming darker near the petal claw.         -   Petal claw.—Form: The claw is considered truncate in shape             and has a medium size when compared to other varieties.             Length: Approximately 1 to 1.5 mm. Width: Approximately 1 to             1.5 mm.         -   Petal margins.—Generally considered variable, from nearly             smooth to slightly undulate.         -   Petal apex.—Generally the petal apices appear slightly             domed.         -   Flower pedicel.—Length: Considered short, and having an             average length of approximately 2 to 2.5 mm. Width:             Considered average, approximately 0.5 to 1 mm. Color: A             light green (RHS Yellow-Green Group N144A-D).         -   Floral nectaries.—Color: Dull orange to orange-gold (RHS             Greyed-Orange Group 170B).         -   Calyx.—Surface Texture: Generally glabrous. Color: A             brownish red (approximately RHS Greyed-Red Group 178A-B).         -   Sepals.—Surface Texture: The surface has a short, fine,             wooly and a gray-colored texture. Shape: Ovate. Color: A             dull red (approximately RHS Greyed-Orange Group 176A-B).         -   Anthers.—General: Average in size for the species. Color:             Golden yellow (approximately RHS Yellow Orange Group 17A-B).         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and is a yellow color             (approximately RHS Yellow Orange 16A).         -   Filaments.—Size: Variable in length, approximately 12 to 13             mm, with the filaments slightly shorter than the pistil.             Color: White with pink tinge (approximately RHS White Group             155A-D) and darkening with advanced maturity.         -   Pistil.—General: Average in size, but slightly longer,             relative to the general anther height, overall. Length:             Approximately 15 to 17 mm, including the ovary. Color:             Considered a very light yellow when young (approximately RHS             Yellow Group 9C-D and 10C-D), and becoming slightly darker             with advancing senescence.         -   Surface texture.—The variety has a long, silver white             pubescent pistil (approximately RHS White Group 155A-D). -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—The present variety of fruit is             described, as it would be found in its firm ripe condition             at full commercial maturity. Under the ecological conditions             prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California:             Average ripe date was May 17^(th) with or slightly before             the low chill peach ‘TropicPrince’ and 8 days before the             medium chill peach ‘Flordaking’.         -   Size.—General — Medium to medium large for the season and             considered uniform. Average Cheek Diameter: Approximately 58             to 63 mm. Average Suture Diameter: Approximately 53 to             61 mm. Average Axial Diameter: Approximately 62 to 67 mm.         -   Fruit form.—Generally quite ovate in its lateral aspect.             Occasionally the fruit exhibits less symmetry when comparing             the suture height with the line opposite the suture. The             fruit is generally uniform in symmetry when viewed from the             apical aspect.         -   Fruit suture.—Generally, the suture appears as a thin line             that extends from the base to the apex, and appears deeper             at the apex, forming a shallow basin at the apical point. No             apparent callusing or stitching exists along the suture             line. Color: The suture normally is the same color as the             underlying blush (RHS Orange-Red Group 34A and N34A).         -   Ventral surface.—Form — Considered uniform.         -   Stem cavity.—Size: Considered moderately shallow for the             species. Width: Approximately 12 to 18 mm. Length:             Approximately 16 to 19 mm. Depth: Approximately 9 to 11 mm.             Form: Considered variable from round to flat.         -   Fruit base.—Generally considered truncate in form, and             uniform.         -   Fruit apex.—Generally considered depressed and usually             recessed below the height of the apical shoulders.         -   Fruit stem.—Length: Considered medium in length,             approximately 8 to 9 mm. Thickness: Approximately 2 to 4 mm.             Color: Generally a light green with brown (RHS Yellow-Green             Group 144A-C, Greyed-Orange Group 165A and Greyed-Orange             Group 166A).         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness: Generally considered medium or             average in thickness. Surface Texture: The variety has very             light, short pubescence. Skin Acidity: Considered neutral.             Tenacious to Flesh: Yes at commercial maturity. Tendency to             Crack: Not observed. Skin Color: Variable, with             approximately 40-65% of the fruit surface covered with an             attractive orange red blush that ranges from an orange red             (RHS Orange Red 34A to N34A) to red (RHS Red 42A). Down:             Light and short. Blush Color: The blush color is generally             more prevailing apically. This red blush ranges from an             orange red (RHS Orange Red 34A to N34A) to red (RHS Red 42A)             with many degrees of shading and blending occurring between             these colorations. The type of blush coloration would be             categorized as a striped, chimeric or tigered covering. Skin             Ground Color: This is generally present in variable             percentages covering approximately 35-60% of the fruit's             surface. The skin ground is a yellow green color             (approximately RHS Green Yellow Group 1B-C).         -   Flesh color.—Generally considered variable from a yellow to             orange (RHS Yellow Group 4A-C and 9D and Orange Group             24B-C).         -   Flesh fibers.—Present, numerous and lightly colored. These             fibers are present throughout the flesh.         -   Stone cavity color.—Generally considered variable from a             yellow to yellow green color (RHS Green Yellow Group 1A-C).         -   Flesh texture.—Generally, the flesh is considered firm and             fine at commercial maturity.         -   Ripening.—Generally the fruit ripens evenly.         -   Flavor.—Considered very sweet and a rich, with slightly             acidic flavor.         -   Aroma.—Pleasant and reasonably abundant.         -   Eating.—Generally considered very good to excellent,             particularly for an early ripening variety. -   Stone:     -   -   Attachment.—Clingstone at commercial maturity.         -   Stone size.—Generally considered medium to medium-large             relative to the ratio of stone to fruit size. Length:             Approximately 27.5 to 30 mm. Width: Approximately 23 to             25 mm. Thickness: Approximately 17 mm.         -   Fibers.—Generally a few medium length fibers are attached             along the entire surface of the stone.         -   Stone form.—Generally the stone is considered oblate to             round.         -   Stone base.—The stone is medium to wide.         -   Base angle.—The base angle of the stone is variable, but             most frequently is considered slightly oblique to the stone             axis.         -   Hilum.—Generally considered medium in size, and rather             poorly defined as is common in very early ripening             varieties. The hilum is approximately 4 to 5 mm long and 2             to 4 mm wide. Form: Considered oval.         -   Apex shape.—The stone apex is wide.         -   Stone shape.—Considered variable. The stone normally ovid to             elongated.         -   Stone surface.—Surface Texture: Minor surface markings are             honeycombed with numerous single pits with a few rosettes of             pits. Ridges: Numerous fine ridges are present basally, and             converge towards the base of the stone.         -   Ventral edge.—Width — Considered small to medium and having             a dimension of approximately 6 to 7 mm at the mid-suture.         -   Dorsal edge.—Shape — Grooved and having moderately rough             edges.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is light brown (RHS             Greyed-Orange Group 164B-C and Greyed-Yellow Group 161A).             The color of the inside surface of the endocarp is primarily             RHS Greyed Orange 164C and 164D.         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is relatively uncommon.         -   Kernel.—The kernel fills the endocarp at harvest and             measures approximately 5-6 mm in thickness, 9-11 mm in             width, and 15-16 mm in length. When dried the shriveled             kernels measure approximately 1-1.5 mm in thickness, 7-9 mm             in width, and 12-14 mm in length. The colors of the             shriveled kernels are primarily RHS Greyed Orange Group 165B             and Greyed Brown Group N199C-D.         -   Use.—‘TexFirst’ is considered to be a peach tree of             early-season maturity, which produces fruit which are very             firm, attractively colored, and which are useful for both             local and long distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Good.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted.         -   Shipping quality.—Average.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘TexFirst’ differs from parental peach ‘TXW1193-1’ in that ‘TXW1193-1’ blooms 1-6 days before ‘TexFirst’ and ripens 15-39 days after ‘TexFirst’ depending on the location and year.

‘TexFirst’ can be compared to commercial varieties ‘Flordaking’ (unpatented) and ‘TexKing’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,627). Table 1 shows a comparison of fruiting characteristics of ‘TexFirst’ compared to ‘Flordaking’ and ‘TexKing’ from data taken in Floresville, Tex. from 2003 to 2010. Table 2 shows a comparison of fruiting characteristics of ‘TexFirst’ compared to ‘Flordaking’ and ‘TexKing’ from data taken in Fowler, Calif. from 2000 to 2010. For Tables 1 and 2: full bloom indicates 60-80% of flowers are open; FDP indicates the fruit development period (number of days from full bloom to ripe); ripe date indicates the date when 20% of fruit is at the firm ripe stage; size indicates a rating of diameter in millimeters (mm) from 0 to 9, where 4 equals 51 to 57 mm, 5 equals 58 to 64 mm, 6 equals 65 to 70 mm, and 7 equals 71 to 76 mm; the data for firm, shape, tip, ground color, appearance and taste are given in terms of a rating scale from 0 to 9, where 0 to 4 equal unacceptable, 5 equals marginal, 6 equals good, 7 equals very good, and 8 to 9 equal excellent for commercial use; blush is rated on a percent basis, where 0 equals no red, 5 equals 50% of skin surface with red, and 9 equals 90% or more of the skin surface with red; the mean separation within columns by Duncan's Multiple Range test at the 5% level is shown as items with the same letter are not significantly different, whereas no letters within a column indicates no significant differences.

TABLE 1 Fruiting characteristics of ‘TexFirst’ compared to ‘Flordaking’ and ‘TexKing’ at Floresville, TX Full FDP Ripe Weight Name bloom (days) date Size (g) Firm Blush TexFirst Jan. 87 a Apr. 26 c 4.9 b 109 b 7.3 a 7.2 a 29 b Flordaking Feb. 78 b May 03 b 6.2 a 137 a 6.2 c 3.4 c 18 a Texking Feb. 85 a May 14 a 6.1 a 140 a 7.0 b 5.6 b 19 a Soluble Ground solids Name Shape Tip color Appearance (Brix) Taste TexFirst 7.9 a 7.9 a 7.0 a 7.8 a 10.0 6.2 Flordaking 5.7 b 5.9 b 6.1 b 5.5 c 9.3 5.7 Texking 6.0 b 6.3 b 6.5 ab 6.4 b 8.9 5.7

TABLE 2 Fruiting characteristics of ‘TexFirst’ compared to ‘Flordaking’ and ‘TexKing’ at Fowler, CA Full FDP Ripe Weight Name bloom (days) date Size (g) Firm Blush TexFirst Feb. 96 a May 17 c 5.8 b 134 b 7.5 a 6.0 a 10 b Flordaking Feb. 85 b May 25 b 7.0 a 178 a 6.3 b 3.0 b 26 a Texking Feb. 99 a Jun. 04 a 7.3 a 190 a 7.0 ab 6.4 a 25 a Soluble Ground solids Name Shape Tip color Appearance (Brix) Taste TexFirst 8.1a 8.6 a 6.9 a 7.0 a 10.0 6.4 Flordaking 7.2 b 7.2 b 6.1 b 5.4 b 10.5 6.0 Texking 7.1 b 7.4 b 6.8 ab 6.8 a 10.5 6.2 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Prunus persica tree named ‘TexFirst’ as described and shown herein. 